THT Heroes: Robbie Fowler – A Liverpool God, Well Above Equals

By Saikat Mandal
13 years Ago

ai???All those who have a Red heart can rejoice, for they have seen Godai???

The sacred Bethlehem of Football has produced prophets over the years, but 90ai??i??s was the era when the Red city celebrated a Toxteth-terror who rose to the power of cult-hero and later to the pedestal of almighty. A decade of sublime panorama followed from his gifted left foot and the city couldnai??i??t help but helplessly admire their ai???spice-boyai??i?? since the day he stepped into the green blades of Anfield.

He was born with rare talents. His default choice of growth in becoming a professional footballer was also perfect. After all, how many kids in this country get the chance to groom under the watchful eye of Liverpool Football club? But somehow you feel in his case, the timing was not perfect. He loved Liverpool to death and there was not an option for him to join any other clubs after breaking through the academy.

But he burst into scene at a time when Liverpoolai??i??s monarchy and stranglehold on English football had ended. Thus, despite having mercurial talents in the rank, cream of the crop being Fowler, Liverpool couldnai??i??t surmount a proper title challenge. The blame can pass largely to poor management skill from the Liverpool board.

A maverick, he had great technical skills and made his name for his natural finishing abilities. At an early age, somehow found an uncanny knack of finding the back of the net with an empyrean ease. But more than goals, it was the sheer quality of those goals that remains as a hallmark of his illustrious career at Anfield. A left foot that could produce silky and deft touches rarely found in England, he should have born in Latin America or Spain. Rather, he should have played there, where inspiration is given more importance than perspiration.

In 1993, he made his senior debut for Liverpool against Fulham in the league Cup and scored all the five goals in the returning leg. That was just the beginning of the many unforgettable moments he delivered for Liverpool. He scored the fastest hat trick in premiership history in just four minutes and thirty-six seconds against Arsenal; a team who boasted the best and stingiest of defence in England. He scored more than 30 goals for Liverpool for three consecutive seasons till 1997. Talking about goals, he had a wonderful habit of scoring in big matches and grand occasions. For instance, the magic left-footed volley in the Carling cup final against Birmingham city in 2001 or the crucial right-footed solo effort against Alaves in the UEFA cup, the same year.

He scored 171 goals in 330 appearances but above all the rise of ai???scouse scallyai??i?? from cityai??i??s poorer areas, earning the epithet of ai???Godai??i?? from his legion of admirers, marks his true greatness.

In Robbieai??i??s case, this love is mutual. His wearing of a t-shirt supporting the local dockers’ strike will forever be etched in the memory of fellow scousers. He will also be remembered for gestures like snorting goal celebration, though less commendable, alluding to cocaine after scoring a derby goal against Everton or the taunting of Chelsea FCai??i??s Graeme Le Saux, alleged to be homosexual.

Fowler lost his Midas touch after the ligament injury in 1998. Since then, he lost his predatory instinct which was actually the hallmark of his game. Though he could still finish with deadly accuracy but the steady decline was clearly visible, which ultimately resulted in shock exit from the club he was destined to play till the last day.

Well, Gerard Houllier played a major part in Fowlerai??i??s departure. After winning the treble, he was given the complete authority of the club as Liverpool hierarchies believed that he is the right man who can steer the team to further success. A prodigy called Michael Owen was making big headlines then for Liverpool. He was the most feared striker in Europe having won the European player of the year in 2001 and his partnership with Emile Heskey was Houllierai??i??s favored choice.

Constant injuries to Robbie Fowler didnai??i??t help and gradually he registered his name in the bad books of his manager. His playing time got reduced and though he could score every time given an opportunity still the hearty affection with the manager was lost. Further the way the Frenchman manoeuvred him out was hard to swallow for all his followers. They believed their idol deserved more than that – at least a fair chance to say goodbye to the Anfield faithful.

He was an out-an-out Red. He watched his beloved club lift 5th European trophy from the stands of the Ataturk stadium with fellow kopites. In another incident, when a reporter tried his best to get Fowler to say something about Liverpool that would tarnish the image of the club, the number 9 replied with utmost seriousness ai???you will never hear me badmouth anything about Liverpool Football Clubai???. He was a man of words. He took the injustice, humiliation to his broad chin, and never let that to form a scar in his heart that is painted with Red and not gray.

Liverpool fans have many reasons to love Rafa Benitez and one of them is that the Spaniard knew the pulse of the club. He pounced on the opportunity of bringing Robbie Fowler back to Anfield on a free transfer. The second coming of God was celebrated with uproarious jollity. Liverpool drew with Birmingham City but fans cared little. The return of the prodigal son in the cradle of Red-heaven mattered most.

In retrospection, clearing all the air of romanticism, you would feel that Fowler got exactly what he deserved. A supremely gifted player who rose above equals to gain the status of cult hero. Liverpool made a good profit by selling him to Leeds United. It was during those times, his game was on the wane. Still he managed to play at higher levels like Manchester City and later with Liverpool.

Only thing that can be seen as blemish in his illustrious career is that he didnai??i??t get enough chances to shine for England. Well, it had a reason too. England already had a goal-poacher in Alan Shearer. It was a not a good idea for an International team to play with two similar strikers side by side. May be thatai??i??s why the likes of Sheringham and Ferdinand were given the chance to play behind the Geordie striker. Also, there was the rise of Owen which made life difficult for Fowler.

Robbie Fowler will always be a Red. Getting to play for Liverpool was ai???like a kid waking up on Christmas morning every dayai??? for him. Fowler is a true hero, a true legend and a demi-God, who will be remembered at Anfield till eternity.

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Follow the author on twitter @Saikat_SAnchor

Categories: COVER STORY, English Premier League, Liverpool FC
Tags: Liverpool FC

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